U.S. indicts 2 for roles in drug trafficking conspiracy

Federal authorities announced on Wednesday that a grand jury has indicted two Schuylkill County men for allegedly conspiring to sell three types of drugs over the last two years in the county and elsewhere.

Scott Murphy, 33, of Auburn, and Clayton Pepe, 23, of Schuylkill Haven, helped distribute more than 50 grams of each of the three drugs - marijuana, methamphetamine and Percocet - according to the 10-page indictment the grand jury handed down on Feb. 28.

Murphy and Pepe each face one count of conspiracy, while Murphy faces five counts and Pepe three of using a telephone to further the conspiracy.

Each defendant faces a mandatory five-year prison sentence if convicted of conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith said Wednesday. The conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine, while each telephone-related count includes a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, Smith said.

According to the grand jury, beginning in January 2010 and continuing until the indictment was made, Murphy, Pepe and their co-conspirators obtained the drugs from suppliers in Schuylkill County, Reading, New York and elsewhere, and then sold them in Schuylkill County and other locations. Murphy, Pepe and the other conspirators used cellular telephones to keep in contact with customers and each other, according to the indictment.

Murphy used a telephone as part of the conspiracy on Oct. 24, 25, 27 and 28, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2011, while Pepe used one on Nov. 3, 4 and 15, 2011, according to the indictment.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police and Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office conducted the investigation that resulted in the indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case, which will be presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge A. Richard Caputo.

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